BBC develops cheap brainwave-reading remote for iPlayer

The British state broadcaster BBC, together with technology company This Place, has developed a way to select programs in the BBC iPlayer by using a headset that measures brain waves.

The headset works in tandem with an experimental version of the iPlayer, the broadcaster’s on-demand platform. That writes the BBC on its site. Users can operate the app by concentrating or by letting their minds settle down.

It is an internal prototype to give broadcasters, techies and other users an idea of ​​how the technology could be used in the future. In the first trial, ten BBC staffers were able to try out the app; they could start programs in the iPlayer via the headset.

According to the BBC’s head of development, some were able to run it much easier than others, but “ultimately everyone could operate the app.” The technology can be used to allow people with various disabilities who cannot operate a normal remote control, keyboard or mouse to control their TV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tx270/player